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THE 7:00pm MEETING IS FOR THE PURPOSE TO HEAR AN APPEAL CONCERING
A RULE VIOLATION. This is a Closed Session According to
WI Statutes 1985(1)
THE PURPOSE OF THE 7:30 MEETING IS TO VOTE ON A MOTION CALLING FOR A BINDING REFERENDUM ON THE QUESTION OF A LARGE TERRITORY DETACHMENT FROM THE ELROY-KENDALL-WILTON SCHOOL DISTRICT (AND A LARGE TERRITORY ATTACHMENT TO THE NORWALK ONTARIO SCHOOL DISTRICT).
The Referendum is to be held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of 1999 (November 2, 1999), in the Elroy-Kendall_Wilton School District and the Norwalk-Ontario School District, in accordance with Statutes 8.40,117.11(1)117.20(1)(2)
This meeting will be held in open session in accordance with the Wisconsin Open Meeting Law.
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ON A 9-0 ROLL CALL VOTE THE ELROY-KENDALL-WILTON BOARD OF EDUCATION VOTED FOR THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:
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THE BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE MET ON JUNE 8th
IN THE HIGH SCHOOL COMMONS AT 3:45pm
All members Sue Schroeder, Mike O'Gara and Louise
Jensen present. Bob Schroeder, Maintainance Supt. met with them.
On a motion by O'Gara - seconded by Jensen they went into
closed session.
Sue Schroeder later reported these facts from the meeting, The committee and maintaninance supt. toured the Middle school and released this information.
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AGENDA
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EKW SCHOOL BOARD RECEIVES WILTON DETACHMENT PETITION
Details Below in School Meeting Report.
Superintendent, Mr. Keenan replied that definitly the student being a senior could finished out his schooling if he wished and graduate with the class of 2000. The seventh grade student would probabaly have to use the school choice option. Mr. Keenan said he would check into it but he was pretty sure they would not go below the sophmore year.
There were no other questions from the floor.
On questions from the Board,
Presentation of the Detachment Petition by The Answer Is Now Committee was the next item of business.
In his own to words here is what Mike Bauernfeind,
spokesman of said committee had to say:
Before I begin I'd like thank Mr. Keenan and his staff for the cooperative and professional way this committee has been treated. This is simply an example of how diverse groups can work together in a professional manner even though they may not share the same view of things.
In addition to the petition, what Iım about to present to you is a summary of some of the thoughts and observations of the members of the Answer Is NOW Committee, the volunteers, and the people who signed the petition.
This effort is made up of a committee and some 20 volunteers. Virtually all of whom have deep roots in this community. These are people who have studied this issue and believe it is the best choice for our students, parents and citizens.
Moreover, the desire to detach is shared by almost 360 voters in this area who felt strongly
enough
to sign their names to this petition. Not to mention the many more who wanted to sign the
petition
but
for one reason or another were not able to do so.
This represents the vast majority of the voters in the detaching area. Although we were not able to reach everyone, between 80 and 90% of the people we called on signed the petition. We feel this is a fair representation because many of our petitioners even called on people they suspected were not in favor of detachment in order to give them a chance to air their views to us.
For this petition to be valid we were required to get the signatures of more than 50% of the electors in the detaching area as measured by the November Gubernatorial election. This petition represents over 100% of the required number. In other words more than double the number of signature required.
To put this in perspective, it would be like having ALL the Republicans, Democrats, and Independents who voted in the last election now voting for the same party. I think most would agree that any time you could get those three groups voting for the same thing it would be a miracle.
In a presidential election, more than 60% of the votes is considered a landslide. If that is so, this must be considered an avalanche of support nothing short of astonishing.
Having said this, it is important to acknowledge that some sincere people in this area do not favor detachment or are unsure about it. We respect their views and invite their continued input.
We will not however acknowledge those who want to fight. For if there is one thing people have told us consistently, over and over again, it is that they are tired of all the fighting, bickering and name calling. Before I present these petitions to you Id like to offer some explanation as to why so many people signed this petition.
These petitions represent the views of the vast majority of the people in the detaching area. And we strongly believe the majority of the people in both school districts feel the same way.
Letıs go back to the last referendum in EKW. Some people canıt figure out how so many people would have worked so hard to defeat that referendum but are now willing to detach.
Why would I and so many others work to defeat a referendum that would close the Wilton School and then turn around and voluntarily close the school through detachment?
The answer is that theyıve seen the past and now they see the future. They have seen their efforts to keep this school open slowly whittled away piece by piece and they realize that sooner or later every thing will be consolidated in Elroy.
And maybe that makes the most sense. It just doesn't make the most sense for Wilton.
Many, many people from Elroy and Kendall have said If I were you Iıd do the same thing.² In fact weıve talked to scores of people in the rest of the district who tell us that if Wilton wants to go, they should be allowed to do so. In fact, they say they will not support holding Wilton hostage against its will. The people in Wilton know that the people in the rest of the district understand their situation and are sympathetic to it.
So when given a choice between having elementary students bussed to Elroy or down the road to Brookwood the choice is obvious. People have said that when it comes to parental involvement, they would have much more of a chance to be involved in their childrenıs education with a school thatıs just down the road.
Some would say What about the 3 school configuration that would keep our school open?
Let me tell you what people have told us about that proposal. They say TCI brought in a proposal at $11.2mm and it did not give the board what it asked for. Namely a K-6 on either end with a 7-12 in Kendall. Why did TCI not give the board what it asked for? Because to do so would have pushed the cost even higher.
If that were not enough, they heard from Mr. McGowan that the TCI proposal did not leave any room for certain other needed improvements including badly needed program and curriculum improvements. The bill for these add ons could well push the debt limit to the max.
In addition, they saw Mr. Hansonıs figures that show the district on a downward financial spiral. Even Mr. Keenan has expressed concern about the quality and viability of some educational programs.
And of course, virtually everyone has asked why we are going on a building craze in the midst of steadily declining enrollment?
Most of all what people have pointed out is that even if we throw all the money we possibly can at this situation, it will not guarantee that the Wilton school will remain open.
Some have said that this issue has to do with the quality of education. That is only partially true. For anyone who has looked at these two districts knows that our children will get a quality education in either district - right now.
However, many people feel that if EKW needs a levy referendum now and then turns around and spends $10-12 million on buildings, something will have to give and that something will be educational programs and/or the Wilton School.
But if these reasons arenıt enough, the final concern we heard often was That a $10-12mm referendum will never pass Many have said to us Elroy will never vote to close their High School and many have also said Why should they? Thatıs where most of the students live.²
People have said that even if a $10 - 12 mm referendum would pass, it would leave this district so financially drained with money spent on buildings that the quality of education would go down. And still, it would not guarantee that the Wilton school would remain open.
People have told us it is time to move on. Itıs time to end the bickering, it is time to end the deadlock. Without Wilton, EK can move on to form a strong district both financially and educationally. With Wilton, N-O can secure a strong future with high educational standards.
Many of you have recently read about the costs to EKW if Wilton detaches. As everyone knows, taxes for the Wilton area most likely will rise if we join N-O. The simple fact is, they spend more money per student than EKW.
But, people also know that if Wilton stays in EKW, their taxes will also go up. In fact, in addition to levy increases, they face a dramatic tax increase if the 3 school configuration is approved and still there is no guarantee that the Wilton school will remain open.
Now some board members have expressed a concern that an EK district without Wilton could not make it financially. Some who have signed the petition have asked Does that mean they want to keep Wilton in order to subsidize the rest of the district?
The EKW board subcommittee that was charged with determining the cost of detachment determined that there would be a $215 thousand gap between revenues and expenditures if Wilton were to detach. Most people we have talked to find that to be a relatively small amount when compared to the overall EKW budget.
Most of you have seen the calculations in the newspaper. There are two items not in the newspaper because those calculations were not available at the time the figures were put together.
The first is the state aid factor which, while not yet calculated, will offset at least 70% of the spread and maybe much more.
But that does not does not kick in the first year. However in subsequent years state aid and rebudgeting could render any revenue loss to be inconsequential.
As for the first year, many of you may recall at an earlier school board meeting Mr. Keenan pointed out that the declining enrollment factor would positively affect the district.
In fact Mr. Keenanıs calculations indicate that in the first year of detachment, before state aid kicks in, the declining enrollment factor would render a net gain for an EK district. That is an EK district will actually come out ahead in the first year.
Quite simply, cost is really not a factor.
We believe support for detachment throughout the entire district is overwhelming.
It is time to pass a resolution favoring detachment.
And what happens if you do vote in favor of detachment? And some complain? Those who are not in favor of detachment can simply do what we have done--go out & collect signatures to call for a referendum.
So where does that leave us?
On behalf of the almost 360 people who signed this petition, I urge you to pass a resolution to allow the Wilton area to detach and join Norwalk Ontario.
Still, If you cannot bring yourself to do that, please do not ignore these good people.
The petitions of the 360 signers was then presented to
Board Secretary, Kay Dougherty, on behalf of "The Answer is
NOW Committee" with the request that swift action be
taken and
the petition be granted.
The Clerk accepted the Petitions but the Board did not discuss or take any action at this time other than that the topic will be put on the Boards Regular meeting now scheduled for Thursday July 15th at Elroy.
Supt. Keenan suggested that, if passed, that the resolution not go into effect until the September 1999 meeting. A motion to that effect by, Schoeder and seconded by Jensen was approved.
On the question of a Request for Early Graduation, Mr. Kennan said the applicant need a few more credits before such a request could be granted but the stundent was willing to meet the conditions necessary by taking extra credits the first semester of next year. Board on a motion by Welch secnded by Jensen approved the conditional request for early graduation.
Board Member, Louise Jensen, gave a report of a number of things that the Building and Grounds Committee found and felt needed doing. Among them being:
Discussion on using some of the put aside maintance money from previous referendum be used. Mr. Keenan suggested that before so doing that a similair survey be made of both the Kendall and Wilton schools. No definite action taken.
Board Member, Mike O'Gara, said that he would like to compliment the maintainace personal on all that they have done in this past year.
On a motion by Welch - seconded by McCracken the Board agreed payment of all June bills presented.
Again because 3 members of the Board where missing very little action or discussion took place and the Board adjorned as far as audience participation within 45 minutes of its beginning
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This was the AGENDA for the June 28th meeting.
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EKW BOARD TO HAVE 2ND VOTE ON DATES OF SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
At the June 10th Board Meeting (Page14) it was voted to have one regular Board meeting to be held every fourth Monday. Committee meetings, when needed, on the second Thursday, but not restricted to that date. Board & Committee Meeting open to the public.
However, on June 17th a the School Board Detachment Committee, held a meeting without any prior media notice. Only posted on the three community school house doors. The EKW District Office has assured me that from this point on that they would give us information to be posted here on this WEB page as to when and where any open Committee meeting would held 24 hrs prior to the occurrence. I assume that this information would also be furnished to other media sources. As for "Item From The Floor" at Committee meetings,
I understand that there is no firm policy in place at this time. Perhaps this should be brought up and discussed at this Monday nights meeting. If School Board Committees are going to make decisions, that are later approved by the Board, the participation by the citizens and taxpayers of the community is further eroded if they are to excluded from expressing their concerns at EKW Committee Meetings
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AGENDA
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